Defying age Rabiul Awal of Kamarkhand upazila of Sirajganj district has passed this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination with a good grade at the age of 43.

Rabiul, the youngest son of Sohrab Hossain of Nandinamadhu village of the upazila, appeared in the SSC examination of 2021 (Vocational) and obtained GPA 4.68.

A three-time elected member of Ward No 9 of Jamtoil Union Parishad of the upazila, Rabiul was a little bit frustrated as he failed to win the post in the recently held UP election.

“But the SSC results which was published on December 31 washed away my grief and brought me joy,” he told the UNB correspondent.

In 1992, Rabiul appeared in the SSC exam under Rajshahi General Education Board. In all subjects except Mathematics he got letter marks. He failed in Mathematics securing only 28 marks, he said..

Being frustrated over the failure, he stopped studies.

After remaining detached from formal education for 29 years, Rabiul started to think over resuming study two years back and got admitted to Shahidul Bulbul Technical School and College in class IX under Technical Education Board .

This time he succeeded. Encouraged by the success he now wish to continue his study.

Upazila secondary education officer Md Sakman Ali confirmed Rabiul’s achievement.

Robiul is the youngest among his seven siblings. Among them, his two brothers are government service holders, one is involved in farming and another is involved in local politics.